Looking for a simple wine making process

[liz stevens]

Does anyone have a very simple wine making process? My grandmother use to make wine, I don't remember her process, but it didn't seem like she used anything fancy or had to go purchase a bunch of wine making kits. She pretty much had a large glass jug with a balloon on top. Our grapes will be ready soon, and would love to make some good wine this year. We already have a wine press, so just need to know the process after we make the juice. Thanks

 

[big brown horse]

Hi Liz, I lived in Brookshire for 2 years after my divorce. Small world isn't it?

(Sorry, I don't know how to make wine yet though.)

 

[liz stevens]

It sure is. The beehives we carry are made by a guy that lives just a few miles where we lived in Missouri. Never knew him just was surprised when he sent us his address.

 

[liz stevens]

OK, I found all the equipment and supplies I need to make my first batch of wine, now I have two things left to figure out. Does anyone have a solution or ideas?

We live in coastal Texas, and the grapes are now just in the middle of being ripe. I picked several last night but still have several still to ripe. My first question is how do I store the grapes I picked and wait until the others ripen? I want to make 5gal and now have just enough for 2gals. Still have enough green ones to ripen.

Second question, my instructions say to keep the fermenting tub at a constant 75 degrees, right now with a heat index of 110, the work shop will be too hot. The only place I have is in the house and I'm afraid the smell might not be popular, plus we have company coming in. The ideal situation like we had living in the Midwest, the fall harvest provide the cooler temperature, but this is not an option, can I freeze the grapes as I pick them and then wait until cooler weather? I'm afraid if I parboil them as other vegetables before freezing they would loose the taste and may not work correctly in the fermenting process. I know at lot of wine is made in Texas so there must be away to do this.

 

[Old Sew'n'Sew]

This site has lots of prize winner recipes. http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/glossary.asp
I made black rasberry, Blackberry, peach, and concord grape fron recipes and detailed instuctions from Jack Keller. I hope you make a good batch.

 

[freemotion]

I would juice them and freeze the juice until you have enough. I'm sure you could just freeze the grapes, too. Blanching is so as not to lose texture quality.

My folks made balloon wine, too. I'd get an airlock, though, as they are quite inexpensive and a balloon can let go and ruin your wine if you are not there to fix it quickly.

My five gallon carboy is in the dining room and there is no smell whatsoever with the airlock. I have to check the water level occasionally.

This is my first attempt, so not an expert here. I got info mostly from Sandor Katz book, Wild Fermentation. I just used juice, a simple sugar syrup, and a packet of champagne yeast.

 

[Rebecka]

If it were me, I would go ahead and start the batch with the grapes you have and then add them as they ripen. This is assuming you feel they will be ripe in the next week or so. Provide yourself a bit of insurance and reserve some of the yeast. Just a bit. Its impressively prolific and hardy. If you have added more juice and dont see signs of fermentation in 24 hours, add the yeast you held back.

I also recommend getting an airlock. They are super cheap and well worth it. I would hate to see your very first batch of wine from your own grapes compromised by the balloon method. Again, cheap insurance.

There shouldn't be much smell at all. Some yes, but not much. Maybe tuck it away in a corner and throw a blanket or something over it while your guests are there. Yeast that ferments too quickly from heat will cause a disturbing oder and potentially an unwanted tang to the flavor.

 

[liz stevens]

I read up on another site that you can just freeze as you pick them, with that I can just wait until fall and make it then. I was hoping to have some for New Years, but will have to wait now. I did find a really good wine makers supply store down in Houston and bought the air lock and all the other supplies. I had already bought an antique glass 5gal water jug last week at a local antique store, and that was exactly what I needed.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Now I just need to trade for some homemade wine now and I will share mine when it is done. Ha!

 

[Wifezilla]

If you freeze grapes it ruptures the cell wall and when you thaw it it makes it really easy to get the juice out.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I have frozen our grapes for several years now. I just take them off the stem and freeze them on a cookie sheet. Once they are frozen I transfer them to a plastic bag. I normally use these in smoothies in lieu of ice cubes or when I need extra fruit for some recipe or other.
I would think they would be ok to use for making wine too.